January's 10 on 10

10 pictures on the 10th day (Monday) of the month! 

{Document a snapshot of your life...find beauty among the ordinary things in your day!}

Ezekiel is definitely not a book of the Bible I frequent often, but this day as I was studying the book of Matthew, there was a reference to that book. I love making discoveries of how the Old and New Testament intertwine and reflect and fulfill. It regularly wows me.

Recently, I have been enjoying a quick 20-minute workout, including warm up and cool down. It won't win me any competitions or races, but its working right now.

That dumb yellow things that takes my kids away everyday. But also, once it does, its go time to do all the things.

I started at one office and then had an interview at another and then back again.

Knowing we were going to be driving into the city later in the week, Shaun asked me to stop and get new tires on his car. We've used the same small family business for decades and they always have prompt, fair and reliable service. From start to finish, I wasn't even there 30 minutes. I also marveled at how very little the shop has changed in these 30 years of going there.

Back at the office, where I wear many hats...printer toner changer, toilet scrubber, customer complaint taker, and so on. Its a gift to enjoy what you do for work and I always have.

Slowly, the pieces are coming together and we feel more settled in the new space by the week.

There's a guy at the office who tries to impress me and sometimes he does sweet things like start my car and pull it up to the door. :)

Avery's favorite game.

I love quiet evenings at home, just doing homework, playing games and making dinner. This is the good stuff.

 

Doing Battle, Week 70

 The point is not to completely understand God but to worship Him. Let the very fact that you cannot know Him fully lead you to praise Him for His infiniteness and grandeur.-- Francis Chan

This week provided more waiting, more testing but also more answers. In fact, I waited a day to post so I'd be able to provide a clearer picture, at least as we have it now. Answers have felt slow in coming, but also we take it as a good sign that no one is in a huge rush.

Backing up to last Wednesday, Amy and I went into the city for my colonoscopy. We got there early but it was the afternoon so they were running hours behind. Not knowing how strictly the visitor/covid policy would  be, Amy had packed cold weather gear, prepared to be outside in January for hours. Thankfully, they had a spacious waiting area and visitors were allowed. 

I was definitely nervous about what they'd find, but after my lovely anesthesia nap, the doctor came in and said, "We have nothing to talk about". Phew....great relief! 

*Public service announcement* If you are 45 or older, you need to get a colonoscopy...don't make excuses, don't put it off, just make it happen. Thank you. :)

I wanted to just cocoon up. Facing people felt daunting and exhausting, so we laid low.

This is the girl you want with you in tough times. She just shows up. In her adult life she's made probably hundreds of meals, given rides, watched kids, organized meal trains, and...she prays. She's a gift. 

We got home after a 12-hour day and a warm meal had been delivered and beautiful flowers, too. Love is most definitely spoken through food and flowers. And so many text messages throughout the day, reminding me of how loved I am, how much I'm thought of. I am blessed!

On Monday my oncologist called me to let me know the team had met to discuss my case and it was determined that radiation alone would likely take care of the tumor. We were surprised and encouraged. We were referred to a radiologist, who we finally met today via a video call. 

The radiologist has a high level of confidence that the tumor will be responsive to five days of radiation. Just five days!!

This is wonderful news!! We kind of can't believe it and now we're starting to look at 2022 as if we might be able to live our regularly scheduled life. We are grateful.

Project 365, Week 3

We spent this week trying to be patient in the waiting, carrying on with status quo life, even though everything feels like its changed. I'm thankful for work and school and every day activities that force us to get up and do life. Some times it feels effort-full, but always the joy and blessings and peace are there when we choose to look and see.

January 17

It was nice to be in my new office space and it was nice to be working, normal person style.

January 18

Aiden made his first eBay sale, a Pokemon card. He couldn't believe how much writing was involved in an address. :)

January 19

A 12-hour day to, in and from the city. 

January 20

It wasn't a big accumulation, but the timing of the snow/wintery mix made it so school was remote for the day. The dog and I had the best time walking and marveling at the beauty that is freshly fallen snow.

The kids were all at their posts. Amanda, Sarah, Aiden, Avery. 

We went to pick out new eye glasses for me as my 5-year old $30 Walmart frames have served their time. The eye glass fitter person took one look at me and realized she would not be selling me Versace or Coach glasses. Not only do I not value name brands, I actually kind of scorn them if its simply for the sake of the name. Anyway, we found serviceable glasses that everyone agreed on.

After, we grabbed dinner out, which was a nice treat.

January 21

Teen Bible Quiz. These kids are amazing. Just this week, they memorized a combined 100+ verses from the book of Matthew. In a world where they could be filling their minds with so many things, they are choosing Truth, which will last them a lifetime, most especially when things get hard. 

January 22

I am not a fan of screens, but I have to concede that there could potentially be some value in online video games. Video games are new to our house since Christmas when we (Shaun) gifted the kids a PlayStation. Its been a fun experience for them to play with friends...in moderation, I can see it being a positive thing. (Don't tell my kids I said that. ;)

Avery had eight hours of Zoom classes over the weekend to fulfill Connecticut's drug and alcohol education requirement to get your license.

Scenes from our Saturday...

January 23

On Sunday, we spent a couple hours at the office, we went to the kickoff meeting for The Passion production and we enjoyed two of the sweetest little kids. We had fun with them, but it was all just a bit too much though as we are already stretched. It takes some adjusting to bring life down a notch and simplify.  

 

Project 365, Week 2

This week will never be forgotten. We did tests, we waited by the phone for results, we got the call that is as my surgeon once described: One day you're crossing the street and you get hit by a semi truck. 

In other news, it was so cold. This is what January is know for in New England and we're getting our fill.

January 10

Our two football enthusiasts. :)

January 11

The dog.

January 12

As we waited at the light in downtown Manhattan, headed to the follow-up appointment with my oncologist, the super heros made me smile!

January 13

One of my favorite things about January is that there are books in progress lying around the house, and very often accompanied by tea or hot chocolate.

January 14

Sarah's first day at H & R Block was the day before, and this afternoon Avery spent some time training her. They just looked too cute sitting there together. :)

After work and TBQ Shaun and I met up for dinner while the kids were at youth group. We had just ordered when we saw some friends walk in, so we made it dinner for four, which was an unexpected treat.

January 15

My birthday. We were already "in limbo", waiting for test results, though we did our best to shelve it for the weekend. We enjoyed a nice breakfast with the best server, our niece Kelly.

After we got "the call" we changed plans and just went home. We talked a bit and then turned on a movie until Shaun and Aiden went to a soccer game and Amy came for a bit, which she'd already pre-arranged because it was my birthday.

Later, we made dinner together. Shaun asked that I be purposeful in showing the kids how to make the meal, knowing that in the coming time, much will be required of all of us. It was beautiful and brutal.

January 16

We waited many weeks for the final windows to arrive at the building and once they were installed, I was able to move into my new office. The kids were a big help and I'm so happy with my new space.

Aiden went to Rocco's house and Amanda had a friend over. It was good for them to be kids and get a break from our hard weekend.